Latest news with #renewable energy
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
China flips switch on cutting-edge energy facility with incredible power: 'It's the start of a new wave'
A new energy storage plant featuring sodium- and lithium-ion batteries has opened in China's Yunnan province. The energy storage station, operated by China Southern Power Grid, is approximately 33,333 square meters in size and features over 150 battery compartments, according to CnEVPost. The station's leader told news agency Xinhua that it has a top response speed that's six times faster than other sodium-ion batteries. It can also store up to 800,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day, which is enough to power approximately 270,000 households. PV Magazine explained that the station can serve over 30 wind and solar plants to mitigate the impact of intermittent supply. The article highlighted that the power station can adapt to changing energy access and stabilize delivery. Combined, these benefits make it easier for cities, companies, and everyday people to have an energy source they can rely on. And one they can trust to release less planet-warming pollution than dirty fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services pointed out, a cleaner environment reduces the likelihood of respiratory and heart conditions. While there are many ways to store energy, sodium-ion batteries are gaining popularity. CnEVPost emphasized that this is because sodium is more abundant, easier to extract, and costs less. Additional reporting from Sodium Battery Hub detailed that this system can adapt to temperature variations and has a longer life cycle than lithium models. Energy storage plays a crucial role in the transition to greener energy sources. As more solar and wind stations emerge, engineers believe that the rapid construction of lithium-sodium battery storage will be critical, per Sodium Battery Hub. Many companies continue to address the need for energy storage plants, like this flywheel facility or this compressed carbon dioxide option. For now, people are excited about this new development in China. Should the U.S. invest more in battery innovations? Absolutely Depends on the project We're investing enough We should invest less Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. On a post on the China Southern Power Grid Facebook page, one commenter said, "Look forward to experiencing more developments in cleaner, and greener energy!" On Threads, Earthly Education shared the news about the energy storage plant, writing, "It's the start of a new wave in clean energy storage, promising faster, greener, and more affordable solutions worldwide." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
TechCrunch
16 hours ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Amogy raises $80M to power ships and data centers with ammonia
From tariffs to the recent reconciliation bill, climate tech startups have been grappling with a rapidly changing landscape. Brooklyn-based startup Amogy has managed to avoid turbulence induced by U.S. politics by keeping its sights on more promising foreign markets. Amogy's ammonia-to-power tech and its focus on Asian markets, including Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, has helped it land a fresh $23 million in funding. The round, which brings its most recent fundraise to $80 million, increases the company's valuation to $700 million, co-founder and CEO Seonghoon Woo told TechCrunch. The round was led by the Korea Development Bank and KDB Silicon Valley LLC with participation from BonAngels Venture Partners, JB Investment, and Pathway Investment. Amogy is based primarily in the U.S. But the startup has found demand for its core technology in Japan and South Korea, countries looking for new ways to expand power generation. 'They don't have as high quality solar, wind, and geothermal resources, and they are not really in the best position to build a nuclear power either,' Woo said. Ammonia is most widely used as a component of plant fertilizers; it can also serve as what experts call a hydrogen carrier. Normally, hydrogen is difficult to transport — it's flammable and prone to leaking — but a hydrogen carrier like ammonia makes it easier. In an effort to reduce their carbon pollution, Asian countries have started burning ammonia in existing fossil fuel power plants. Typically, operators will replace some percentage of coal with ammonia. Shipping companies have started doing the same, replacing diesel with the compound. Ammonia has found fertile ground in that industry because the International Maritime Organization, which regulates maritime shipping, is going to begin levying a carbon tax starting in 2027. Techcrunch event Save up to $475 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $450 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW But in any place where ammonia is burned — whether that's a power plant or a ocean-going ship — it needs to have at least some fossil fuel combusted alongside it. That makes full decarbonization impossible. Amogy has been developing a way to fully replace fossil fuels using ammonia as a fuel. First, the company cracks three hydrogen atoms off each nitrogen atom. It then sends the hydrogen to a fuel cell, which generates electricity and water vapor, while releasing pure nitrogen to the air. Because there's no combustion, the company's process doesn't release any NO x pollution, which can create smog and cause a host of health problems. The startup previously tested its technology in a tug boat, and it's still on track to deploy a commercial-scale system in a ship by the next couple years. But Amogy is also developing a power plant that will provide power to terrestrial customers, including data centers. The first of its kind will begin generating power in the next couple years, Woo said. The first systems will be on the smaller side, capable of producing 500 kilowatts to one megawatt of electricity, though customers can deploy several in parallel to generate more power. Woo said that Amogy's shift to Japan and South Korea comes at a time when the countries are beginning to develop their ammonia infrastructure. By the end of the decade, coal power plants in both countries are expected to use some amount of ammonia in their operations. Initially, the ammonia will likely come from the U.S. and the Middle East, where hydrogen bound in inexpensive natural gas is used to make the compound. Asian countries are setting standards for how much carbon pollution can result from ammonia production. As a result, it's likely that producers will need to capture at least some of the carbon to be able to sell to those markets. But down the line, Woo said, the hope is to transition to green sources of hydrogen to create ammonia. Asian countries, Woo said, 'see ammonia basically as the next LNG, but without the carbon.'
Bloomberg
16 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Google to Spend $3 Billion in AI Hydropower Deal With Brookfield
Google agreed to spend more than $3 billion to buy power for its data centers from Brookfield Asset Management hydroelectric plants, with plans to potentially quadruple the amount of supply. The power will come from the Holtwood and Safe Harbor plants, about 75 miles (121 km) southwest of Philadelphia, with 670 megawatts of generating capacity for 20 years, according to a statement.
Zawya
16 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Trina Storage demonstrates high efficiency and long-term reliability in verified field results
Trina Storage has released independently verified operational data from a 150MW utility-scale agrivoltaic + storage project, confirming strong real-world performance in both efficiency and long-term reliability. The project, part of a solar + storage hybrid renewable energy installation, has been in continuous operation for over a year. Performance evaluation was conducted by UL Solutions and the China Quality Certification Center (CQC), two globally recognized third-party authorities. Results show the system consistently achieved 95.2% DC-side efficiency and 87.1% system-level round-trip efficiency, placing it among the most efficient large-scale energy storage systems currently in operation. 'We're proud to see our technology delivering real value under field conditions,' said Shawn Deng, Head of Global Product & System Integration at Trina Storage. 'From Cell-to-AC capability to third-party validation, our goal is to build trust through performance. We'll continue working with global partners to test next-generation systems in diverse environments and provide transparent, data-driven benchmarks for the industry.' Fully Integrated, High-Efficiency Design from Cell to Grid The project is powered by Trina Storage's Elementa Series, a smart, flexible energy storage solution built with Trina Storage's proprietary in-house battery cells. Designed for flexibility and scalability, Elementa delivers high efficiency, safety, and long-term reliability by optimizing performance across the entire system—from cell to grid. Key system features include a smart thermal management system, which keeps cell temperature variation within 3°C, and auxiliary power consumption as low as 1.8%. Together, these capabilities reduce energy loss by approximately 30% compared to conventional systems and contribute an estimated 200,000 kWh of additional electricity annually, boosting overall output and returns. Verified Reliability and Strong Economic Performance After more than a year in operation, the system retains 98% of usable capacity, indicating minimal degradation and strong cycle performance. This long-term reliability supports a 15–20% reduction in Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS) compared to industry averages, enhancing project bankability. With its high efficiency and stable performance, the system enables participation in multiple market applications—including energy arbitrage, frequency regulation, and reserve services — helping operators diversify revenue streams and shorten investment payback periods. Over the course of more than a year, UL Solutions conducted a rigorous evaluation of the Feicheng project based on strict performance standards,' said Chen Chi, product manager in the Energy and Industrial Automation group at UL Solutions. 'The system has consistently shown optimal efficiency and cycle life, and low auxiliary power consumption throughout the monitoring period. These outcomes indicate a solid level of technical integration and reliable performance under real-world conditions.' About Trinasolar (688599. SH) Founded in 1997, Trinasolar Co Ltd (stock symbol: Trinasolar; stock code: 688599) is engaged mainly in PV products, PV systems and smart energy. PV products include R&D, production and sales of PV modules. PV systems consist of power stations and system products. Smart energy comprises mainly PV power generation and operations and maintenance, smart solutions for energy storage, smart microgrid, and development and sales of multi-energy systems. We are committed to leading the way in smart PV and energy storage solutions and facilitating the transformation of new power systems for a net-zero future. On June 10, 2020, Trinasolar was listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market) of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE). It was the first PV and energy storage company to go public on the STAR Market providing PV products and systems, as well as smart energy.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi energy minister urges global action on energy poverty at OPEC forum
RIYADH - Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, emphasized the urgent need to tackle global energy poverty during his address at the OPEC International Seminar in Vienna on Monday. Highlighting one of the most pressing global energy challenges, the minister cited United Nations estimates that 1.2 billion people suffer from energy poverty — a figure he believes could be nearly three times higher in reality. He noted that over two billion people still rely on traditional, unsafe cooking fuels, which contribute to pollution and health hazards. Prince Abdulaziz revealed that a dedicated Saudi team is actively working across Africa and Southeast Asia to address energy poverty, engaging directly with governments to implement practical solutions. The minister underscored the Kingdom's consistent energy policies and its commitment to translating them into real-world outcomes. He cautioned that the global energy transition should not come at the expense of economic development, urging that each country's economic context be considered in crafting energy strategies. He further stressed the need for a balanced global energy mix, where oil and gas remain essential components alongside the expansion of renewable energy sources. With global population projections reaching nearly 10 billion by 2050 and energy demand expected to rise by 50%, he said a diverse approach is crucial to ensuring sustainable energy access.
